Smoking
Carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke affects the oxygen carrying ability of your blood. Therefore, your heart has to work harder to supply your body with adequate oxygen. Smoking also contributes to the deposit of fats in your blood vessels, causing the vessels to narrow, a risk of thrombosis and increased blood pressure. It’s also responsible for chronic obstructive airways disease with shortness of breath and symptoms like those of heart failure. Smoking causes the blood vessels in your body, including those in your heart, to constrict (narrow). This will make the symptoms of your heart failure worse. It’s never too late to stop smoking, and stopping will be beneficial for your heart and overall health.
There are a number of different ways to stop smoking. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, as there are many support groups and other resources that are available to help you. You may find that not all the advice will work for you, but with a little persistence you will find a way to stop smoking.
Here are some common ways to stop:
There are a number of different ways to stop smoking. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, as there are many support groups and other resources that are available to help you. You may find that not all the advice will work for you, but with a little persistence you will find a way to stop smoking. Here are some common ways to stop:
- Use the available products that contain nicotine as replacement therapy and help with withdrawal symptoms, such as nicotine patches, gum and inhalers, ask your doctor or nurse for advice.
- Several new medicines and devices such as e-cigarettes are also now available and may be discussed with your doctor.
- Plan a date to stop and then stop smoking abruptly. This will reduce your body craving for nicotine better than a more gradual decrease. Nicotine replacement therapy (patches or chewing gum) can also help you quit smoking.
- Brush your teeth after a meal instead of lighting a cigarette, as changing the taste in your mouth sometimes helps.
- Avoid places where smoking is permitted, such as outdoor areas in pubs and bars, in the early stages of your attempt to stop smoking. If smoking is permitted at your workplace, discuss your decision with your colleagues.
- Find something else to do with your hands or mouth, such as playing with a paperclip, or chewing gum.
- Get more active, exercise boosts morale and helps you relax.
- You may find you gain weight while trying to stop smoking. It’s much more important to stop smoking than maintain your ideal weight. When you have stopped smoking for good, you can then think about losing weight.
- Don’t empty your ashtray, this will show you how much you smoke and how horrid the smell of stale smoke is.
- Involve your family, especially those who smoke – this can be the key to success.
You may not experience the health benefits of stopping smoking immediately, but with time you will feel fitter and healthier in general.
Further information on giving up smoking is available on the following websites:
